November 24th, 2010Initial Observations of Cell Mediated Drug Delivery to the Deep Lung
Arun KumarDirector Nanomedicine Division,, Neuracon Biotech IncUsing current methodologies, drug delivery to small airways, terminal bronchioles and alveoli (deep lung) is inefficient especially to the lower lungs. Urgent lung pathologies such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and post-lung transplantation complications are difficult to treat, in part, due to the methodological limitations in targeting the deep lung with high efficiency drug distribution to the site of pathology. To overcome drug delivery limitations inhibiting the optimization of deep lung therapy, isolated rat Sertoli cells pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles were use to obtain a high density distribution and concentration (92%) of the nanoparticles in the lungs of mice by way of the peripheral venous vasculature rather than the more commonly used pulmonary route. Additionally, Sertoli cells were pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles coupled with the anti-inflammatory compound curcumin and then injected intravenously into control or experimental mice with deep lung inflammation. By 24 hours post-injection, most of the curcumin load (~90%) delivered in the injected Sertoli cells was present and distributed throughout the lungs including the peri-alveloar sac area in the lower lungs. This was based on the high density, positive quantification of both nanoparticles and curcumin in the lungs. There was a marked positive therapeutic effect achieved 24 hours following curcumin treatment delivered by this Sertoli cell Nanoparticle Protocol (SNAP). Results identify a novel and efficient protocol for targeted delivery of drugs to the deep lung mediated by extra-testicular Sertoli cells. Utilization of SNAP delivery may optimize drug therapy for conditions such as ARDS, status asthmaticus, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer and complications following lung transplantation where the use of high concentrations of anti-inflammatory drugs is desirable, but often limited by risks of systemic drug toxicity. Read the Whole Article